South Alabama names Daniel McCarthy new Director of Athletics
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The University of South Alabama has announced the appointment of Dr. Daniel W. McCarthy as director of athletics.
The appointment officially removes the interim tag McCarthy has worn since June 1 following the retirement of Dr. Joel Erdmann.
“South Alabama is a special place with incredible people. Being a part of this University and this community for the past 18 years has been such a blessing for me and my family. I’m excited to lock arms with our coaches, staff, student-athletes, alumni, fans and friends as we pursue a bold and ambitious future. I invite every member of Jag Nation to put their J up and join us as we write this next chapter together.”
Dr. Daniel McCarthy
Keep reading to learn more about McCarthy’s appointment + his career.
Who is South Alabama AD Daniel McCarthy?
Daniel McCarthy has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Huntingdon College, a master’s degree in physical education and sports studies from the University of Georgia and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of South Alabama.
McCarthy’s previous roles have included:
- South Alabama deputy AD
- Richmond Assistant AD
- Mercer compliance coordinator
McCarthy has been at South Alabama since 2008.
“When we looked at the future of Jaguar Athletics, it became abundantly clear that the best person to lead us forward was already a member of the University of South Alabama family. The feedback we received from stakeholders confirmed that Dr. McCarthy’s dedication to our University and his exceptional impact at South make him uniquely qualified for this role.”
Jo Bonner, University of South Alabama president
As deputy athletics director, McCarthy oversaw South’s external operations while also providing oversight for the sports of football, baseball and softball, among others.
During McCarthy’s tenure, the Jaguars have won 19 Sun Belt Conference Championships and secured 14 NCAA postseason appearances.
McCarthy also helped oversee more than $90 million in capital projects, including the construction of Hancock Whitney Stadium and the Jaguar Training Center. McCarthy’s efforts also extended into the classroom, with South Alabama producing more than 1,600 academic all-conference honorees and nine Academic All-Americans.
